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1078450

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Homelessness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department provides to help homeless applicants make a claim for universal credit.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	226486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including the most vulnerable in society. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit has been designed with accessibility in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants. Where a homeless claimant requires assistance to complete the initial application process support is available face to face in the Jobcentre. Service delivery teams within jobcentres provide a professional and supportive environment for our customers, providing digital coaching and helping claimants set up and maintain their Universal Credit claims.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant needs more intensive or specific support to make their claim, face-to-face and other help is available through our current Universal Support Assisted Digital Service offer, which provides bespoke help, support and skills for claimants to make and maintain their digital account online. Since 2017, Universal Support has been delivered by local authorities, funded by grants from DWP.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentres in England refer claimants considered to be homeless or at risk of homelessness, to the local authority to receive further housing support. The referral is voluntary and there is no impact on the claimants Universal Credit award if they do not consent to the referral being made.</p><p> </p><p>Additional safeguards in place and support available to assist homeless people in making a claim for Universal Credit include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>If a person doesn’t have a fixed address, they can register their hostel or temporary accommodation as their address, and if they are sleeping rough they can use the address of their local jobcentre.</li><li>A work coach can use other methods to identify a person where someone does not have ID, including the use of biographical questions and third party biographical verification.</li><li>Measures are in place to make payments through other methods where someone doesn’t have a bank account, including post office card accounts or the Payment Exception Service. Work coaches can also help people through the process of setting up a bank account where appropriate.</li></ul> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/03/2019 15:22:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1078451

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2018 to Question 160779, how many (a) men and (b) women in private sector pensions schemes were contracted-out between 1978-79 and 1987-88; and how many of those (i) men and (ii) women (A) have reached state retirement age since the introduction of the single tier pension and (B) are still to reach state retirement age.
tabling member constituency	Falkirk
tabling member printed	John McNally
uin	226688
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2019 answer text <p>Under the old State Pension, there was a basic State Pension, based on the number of years of employment, and an earnings-related element (additional State Pension). From 1978 until April 2016 it was possible for employees and employers to contract-out of the additional State Pension (SERPS and, from 6 April 2002, State Second Pension) on condition that the employer provided a pension of, at least, a statutory minimum.</p><p> </p><p>Prior to 1988 contracting-out was restricted to Defined Benefit schemes and there was no individual choice. Until April 2012 it was possible to contract-out by joining a Defined Contribution workplace pension scheme or a personal pension scheme which met certain conditions instead. Contracting-out for salary-related Defined Benefit schemes remained open until 5 April 2016. Contracted-out through a salary-related workplace pension scheme meant that the employee and employer paid lower National Insurance contributions and, in doing so, the employee would receive a lower (or no) additional State Pension. However, they would be receiving a workplace pension instead.</p><p> </p><p>An individual’s basic State Pension is not affected. Separate rules apply if an individual is a member of a salary-related pension scheme before 6 April 1997. These rights, known as the Guaranteed Minimum Pension, cannot be taken before age 65 (men) or 60 (women). Contracting-out finally ended on 6 April 2016, and this means that all employees now pay the same rate of NI.</p><p> </p><p>The specific information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 07/03/2019 11:11:00 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4424 label Biography information for John McNally

1078452

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the effect on (a) value for money and (b) service provision of providing funding to local authorities through (i) long-term arrangements and (ii) one-off funding streams.
tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
uin	226662
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises that local authorities value certainty, which is why we agreed a multi year settlement for local government worth over £200 billion in the five years to 2020, that was accepted by 97 per cent of councils in return for publishing efficiency plans. Where there is evidence of increasing pressures in certain areas, the Government has determined it has been right to provide additional funding. Specifically, at Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced an additional £650 million for social care in 2019-20. This includes £240 million of to support adult social care services to reduce winter pressures on the NHS, in addition to the £240 million provided for 2018-19, and £410 million for local authorities to support adults and children’s social care services.</p><p>In the long term, the Spending Review will determine funding for local government from 2020-21 onwards and will enable us to look at local government spending in the round.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 04/03/2019 17:47:58 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

1078453

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Government has been consulted on the proposals to be put forward by the US President in the plan entitled, Deal of the Century in relation to Israel.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	226512
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>We have met with the President of the US Special Envoys for MEPP on a number of occasions but these meetings have not been formal consultations. We have encouraged the US Administration to bring forward detailed proposals for a viable Israel-Palestinian peace agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both parties. We continue to believe the best way to achieve this is through substantive peace talks between the parties leading to a two-state solution.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 12:42:04 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1078454

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	UNRWA
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether it remains the Government's policy to continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	226513
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a multi-year commitment to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and we plan to continue to fund the Agency in line with that agreement. This will provide basic services such as health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and the region. Both the UK and UNRWA recognise the need for UNRWA to reform to ensure its sustainability, and UNRWA has undertaken significant cost-cutting measures to respond to budget cuts and growing need. We welcome UNRWA’s efforts to broaden its donor base and are encouraging partners to step up with more funding and more predictable disbursements. A long term solution requires a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for Palestinian refugees. Until that happens the UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/03/2019 17:29:23 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1078455

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Naproxen
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of naproxen on the NHS.
tabling member constituency	Southampton, Itchen
tabling member printed	Royston Smith
uin	226707
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The Department is aware that supplies of naproxen tablets were limited during January and early February due to a manufacturing issue with the active pharmaceutical ingredient. During this time, we worked closely with all suppliers of naproxen tablets to expedite further deliveries.</p><p>Supplies of naproxen tablets are currently available in volumes sufficient to meet national requirements. We will continue to work closely with all manufacturers of naproxen tablets to monitor the overall supply situation to ensure supplies continue to remain available. We have provided updates about the naproxen supply situation to the National Health Service via primary and secondary care networks and will continue to do this.</p><p>We understand that naproxen, and other medicines, are vitally important to many people in this country. Our contingency plans include sensible mitigations for medicines that come to the United Kingdom from or via the European Union to ensure that the supply of medicines for patients is not disrupted.</p><p>The Department is unable to discuss the specific arrangements for naproxen, because to reassure companies engaging in our contingency plans, we have committed to treating all information received confidentially, securely and to using it only for the purposes of the Department’s programme.</p><p>A comprehensive plan has been put in place in the form of a multi-layered approach to minimise any supply disruption:</p><p>- securing, via the Department for Transport, additional roll on roll off freight capacity (away from the short straits) for goods to continue to come into the UK from 29 March;</p><p>- buffer stocks and stockpiling (where this is practical) or asking industry to build up buffer stocks in the UK before 29 March;</p><p>- buying extra warehouse space for the additional stock to be held in;</p><p>- supporting companies in booking space on aircraft for products which require an immediate shipment due to short shelf-life or specific storage conditions;</p><p>- making changes to, or clarifications of, certain regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK even if we have ‘no deal’; and</p><p>- strengthening the processes and resources used to deal with shortages in the event that they do occur.</p><p>No one of these measures will work on its own. A combination of securing freight, buffer stocks, stockpiling and warehousing, regulatory flexibility, and clinical assessment and decision making, will be required help to ensure the continuation of medical supplies.</p><p>Throughout enacting our plans, the response from pharmaceutical companies has been hugely positive. Companies share our aims of ensuring continuity of medicines’ supply for patients is maintained and able to cope with any potential delays at the border that may arise in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond grouped question UIN 226170 226171 226708 question first answered 06/03/2019 11:02:14 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4478 label Biography information for Royston Smith

1078456

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Naproxen
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of stocks of naproxen held by the NHS in the event that the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Southampton, Itchen
tabling member printed	Royston Smith
uin	226708
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The Department is aware that supplies of naproxen tablets were limited during January and early February due to a manufacturing issue with the active pharmaceutical ingredient. During this time, we worked closely with all suppliers of naproxen tablets to expedite further deliveries.</p><p>Supplies of naproxen tablets are currently available in volumes sufficient to meet national requirements. We will continue to work closely with all manufacturers of naproxen tablets to monitor the overall supply situation to ensure supplies continue to remain available. We have provided updates about the naproxen supply situation to the National Health Service via primary and secondary care networks and will continue to do this.</p><p>We understand that naproxen, and other medicines, are vitally important to many people in this country. Our contingency plans include sensible mitigations for medicines that come to the United Kingdom from or via the European Union to ensure that the supply of medicines for patients is not disrupted.</p><p>The Department is unable to discuss the specific arrangements for naproxen, because to reassure companies engaging in our contingency plans, we have committed to treating all information received confidentially, securely and to using it only for the purposes of the Department’s programme.</p><p>A comprehensive plan has been put in place in the form of a multi-layered approach to minimise any supply disruption:</p><p>- securing, via the Department for Transport, additional roll on roll off freight capacity (away from the short straits) for goods to continue to come into the UK from 29 March;</p><p>- buffer stocks and stockpiling (where this is practical) or asking industry to build up buffer stocks in the UK before 29 March;</p><p>- buying extra warehouse space for the additional stock to be held in;</p><p>- supporting companies in booking space on aircraft for products which require an immediate shipment due to short shelf-life or specific storage conditions;</p><p>- making changes to, or clarifications of, certain regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK even if we have ‘no deal’; and</p><p>- strengthening the processes and resources used to deal with shortages in the event that they do occur.</p><p>No one of these measures will work on its own. A combination of securing freight, buffer stocks, stockpiling and warehousing, regulatory flexibility, and clinical assessment and decision making, will be required help to ensure the continuation of medical supplies.</p><p>Throughout enacting our plans, the response from pharmaceutical companies has been hugely positive. Companies share our aims of ensuring continuity of medicines’ supply for patients is maintained and able to cope with any potential delays at the border that may arise in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond grouped question UIN 226170 226171 226707 question first answered 06/03/2019 11:02:14 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4478 label Biography information for Royston Smith

1078457

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Victims
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the cost to the individual of becoming a victim of childhood sexual abuse.
tabling member constituency	Rotherham
tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
uin	226672
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2019 answer text <p>There is a range of evidence pointing to the devastating and life-long impacts of child sexual abuse on victims. For example, data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that 23% of the adults surveyed who experienced sexual assault as a child went on to experience sexual assault as an adult (this compares to 3% of adults who did not report sexual assault as a child but who became victims of the offence as an adult). The same survey indicates that adults with a long-term illness or disability are significantly more likely to have experienced abuse during childhood than those without such a condition</p><p>We know that child sexual abuse can impact on every element of a victim’s life, including physical and mental health, relationships, educational attainment and employment. For that reason, this Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation feel they can come forward, knowing that they will get the specialist support they need to help them cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the abuse they have suffered.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 12/03/2019 16:45:16 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1078458

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants have benefited from the provisions under section 119 (3) (a) and (b) of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 that hardship payments cease to be recoverable in the event that such claimants have earnings above the thresholds specified in those regulations in each month since August 2015.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	226487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur a disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 04/03/2019 17:21:46 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1078459

registered interest
date	27/02/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Jobcentre Plus: Autism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training has been provided to Jobcentre Plus staff in the (a) UK and (b) Easington Constituency to support (i) people with autism and (ii) family carers looking after a child with autism to ensure they can access all necessary services.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	226654
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including the most vulnerable in society. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs.</p><p>Work coaches undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants. Specific training and guidance is provided for working with different vulnerable groups and those with complex needs including claimants with Autistic Spectrum Conditions.</p><p>In addition, Work Coaches are supported by Disability Employment Advisers (DEA) who work in partnership with Work Psychologists to improve the capability of all Work Coaches to better support claimants with disabilities. DEAs based at Jobcentres within the Easington constituency undergo additional training through the North East Autism Society.</p><p>Nationally, there is a range of support available for young people with autism, including:</p><p>•The Work and Health Programme, which offers a personalised local approach to supporting people, overcome barriers to employment, by targeting specialist support to those who are likely to be able to find work within 12 months.</p><p>•Access to Work, which has a Hidden Impairment Specialist Team offers advice and guidance to help employers support employees with conditions such as Autism, Learning Disability and/or Mental Health conditions.</p><p>•Young people who start a work placement with an employer as part of the Department for Education supported internship programme or a traineeship are eligible to apply for Access to Work support for the period of the work placement. Supported internships are for young people aged 16—24 with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, who want to get a job and need extra support to do this.</p><p>•The Disability Confident scheme, through which DWP is engaging with employers and helping to promote the skills, talents and abilities of people with autism and associated conditions. Over 10,000 businesses have signed up to Disability Confident since it was launched in November 2016.</p><p>•The Disability Passport ‘About Me’, developed to encourage disabled claimants, including individuals with autism, to disclose their disability/ health conditions at the earliest stage to their Adviser, to improve communication and ensure reasonable adjustments are put in place. The passport was launched in March 2017 and is hosted on Autism Alliance’s website</p><p>•The Local Supported Employment Proof of Concept, which is being delivered with nine local authorities and will support those with a learning disability or autism who are known to adult social care, or those in contact with secondary mental health services.</p><p>We are also improving access to apprenticeships for people with learning disabilities and difficulties. For example, the government has introduced legislation which adjusts the minimum English and Maths requirements for apprenticeships for people with a learning difficulty or disability to entry Level 3. This change allows more people to benefit from the opportunities available through apprenticeships and work.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 04/03/2019 16:33:53 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris